The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, has stated that his office has not received any evidence directly or indirectly implicating Deputy President William Ruto in the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal.
Speaking on NTV on Wednesday, July 20, Haji stated that claims that the Deputy President was involved in the misappropriation of funds meant for the dams were mere allegations, challenging anyone with any evidence against Kenya's second-in-command to bring it forward.
He, however, noted that since the matter was still in court, any evidence that may come up along the prosecution process will be reviewed as appropriate.
Haji noted that one case that stood out in his prosecution career was that of Sirisia Member of Parliament, John Waluke and Grace Sarapay Wakhungu.
The duo was in June 2020 convicted of fraud involving Ksh297 million in shady maize dealings with the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB).
In the case, Waluke and Wakhungu, his business partner, were found guilty of fraud and illegal acquisition of Ksh297 million through shady deals.
Early in the year, hearing of the appeal against their jailing began. The two were sentenced to 136 years in jail, with Waluke getting 69 years and Wakhungu 67 years.
They are also fighting a combined Ksh2 billion fine imposed for allegedly supplying air to the National Cereals and Produce Board.
Haji went on to say that this was a big case due to the fines that the accused were slapped with, adding that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is looking to bring more corrupt individuals to justice.
Additionally, Haji added that another case his office is following closely is the Arror and Kimwarer dams one. He clarified that despite the assumptions that Ruto is involved in the scandal, there is no evidence presented tying him to the case.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is no evidence that has been brought to me against Ruto. As we stand today and the file is in court, I have not seen his name,” Haji added.
The DPP noted that his office is also pursuing cases involving county governors, expressing confidence that all the accused governors will be convicted.
Corruption in the country has been blamed for crippling the economy by several stakeholders. President Uhuru Kenyatta is on record stating that Kenya loses Ksh2 billion daily to corruption.
